Hollywood, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hollywood, Pennsylvania
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Unincorporated community
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Hollywood Tavern at the corner of Huntingdon Pike and Gibson Avenue
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 Hollywood, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Location in Pennsylvania
Hollywood, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Montgomery |
| Township | Abington |
| Elevation | 246 ft (75 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
19046
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| Area code(s) | 215, 267 and 445 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1203828 |
Hollywood is a unique neighborhood in Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. It's called an "unincorporated community," which means it's a recognized place but doesn't have its own separate local government like a town or city. This area is famous for its homes that look like they belong in Southern California!
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History of Hollywood, Pennsylvania
This special neighborhood, with its 174 homes, began in 1928. A builder named Gustav Weber, who was from California, had a plan. He wanted to create a small community with houses that looked like the Spanish-style homes popular in the Los Angeles area.
California Style in Pennsylvania
The houses Gustav Weber built were painted in soft, pastel colors. They also had flat roofs, which was a common style in California. To make the neighborhood feel even more like California, he named the streets after famous cities there. You can find streets like Los Angeles, San Diego, Pasadena, and San Gabriel in Hollywood, Pennsylvania!
Facing Winter Weather Challenges
Gustav Weber faced a big problem: Pennsylvania winters are very different from California's! He had planned for landscaping with plants native to Southern California. These plants couldn't survive the cold weather and died. Also, the sidewalks were made of special Moravian tiles. These tiles cracked in the freezing temperatures and had to be replaced with concrete. Because of these issues, changes had to be made to the neighborhood after it was built.
Finishing the Neighborhood
Gustav Weber never fully finished the neighborhood himself. One big reason was the Wall Street Crash of 1929, which caused a major economic downturn. Other personal challenges also played a role. A local developer eventually took over and completed the community in the 1940s.
Recognized for its History
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission has recognized Hollywood, Pennsylvania, as a place that could be listed on the national registry of historic places. This means that people who live in the neighborhood might be able to get special grants from the government. These grants can help them maintain the unique historical look and feel of their homes.
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